Carrier-bag

ABSTRACT

A carrier bag which has first and second double walls of the bag formed respectively from first and second web portions and third and fourth web portions which are connected together by a fold at the bottom of the bag, with the second and fourth web portion forming the inner walls of the double wall of the bag, the upper edges of the first and second walls having an opening into the interior of the bag. A first seam is formed along each side edge of the bag, each first seam connecting at least the second and fourth web portions to one another. Two second seams are provided along each side edge of the bag parallel to but spaced inwardly from the first seam, to connect the two web portions on each wall of the bag. When a cut is made between the first seams and the two sets of second seams, two strips of web material can be removed and the bag can then be folded over to form a larger bag of single wall construction, which may for example by used for a refuse sack or a garment bag.

United States Patent 1 1 [111 3,

Oggesen June 17, 1975 [5 1 CARRIER-BAG 3,674,135 7 1972 Simon 229/62 [75 Inventor: Heinrich oggesen Lauf an der 3,734,394 5/1973 Dooley l. 229/55 Pegmtz Germany Primary ExaminerWilliam I. Price [73] Assignee: Messrs. Lakufol Kunstslofl'e GmbH Assistam Examiner-Stephen P. Garbo 8: Co., Lauf an der Pegnitz, Germany 57 ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Jan. 11, 1974 A carrier bag which has first and second double walls of the bag formed respectively from first and second PP N04 432,505 web portions and third and fourth web portions which are connected together by a fold at the bottom of the [30] Foreign Application p Data bag with the second and fourth web portion forming Jan 23 1973 German 2303106 the inner walls of the double wall of the bag, the upper y edges of the first and second walls having an opening into the interior of the bag. A first seam is formed [52] US. Cl 229/54 along each Side edge of the bag, each first seam com [5 H I Cl 5 33/06 necting at least the second and fourth web portions to [58] g i 150/1 7 one another. Two second seams are provided along R a A 1 each side edge of the bag parallel to but spaced inwardly from the first seam, to connect the two web portions on each wall of the bag. When a cut is made [56] References Cited between the first seams and the two sets of second UNITED STATES PATENTS seams, two strips of web material can be removed and 2,26|,29| 11/1941 Salavsky l90/43 the bag can then be folded ver to form a larger bag 2,925,17l 2/1960 Eaton 229/48 T of Single Wall construction, which may for example by gig 43 used for a refuse sack or a garment bag. 3:494:45? 2/1970 Titchenal. 229/55 x 10 Chims, 3 Drawing Figures 3,610,517 10/1971 Honsel ISO/L7 All CARRIER-BAG The invention relates to carrier bags.

Carrier bags, especially made of plastic film, are being used to a constantly increasing extent. The normal practice hitherto has been to throw away the carrier bags, the volume of which is limited for convenient carrying, after they have been used. This on the one hand leads to an increased amount of refuse and on the other, of course, also to an unnecessary waste of money. Finally, it should be noted that where carrier bags are made of plastic film, they have recently been produced mostly of polyethylene and, because of the requirements of protection of the environment, and because of the constantly increasing consumption, a shortage of the raw material polyethylene is probably to be expected within a foreseeable time.

According to the present invention, there is provided a carrier bag comprising, first and second web portions forming a first double wall of the bag, third and fourth web portions forming a second double wall of the bag, the first and third web portions and the second and fourth web portions, respectively, being connected by a fold at the bottom of the bag, with the second and fourth web portion forming the inner walls of the two double walls, the upper edges of the first and second walls forming an opening into the interior of the carrier bag, a first seam along each side edge of the bag each connecting at least the second and fourth web portions to one another and two second seams along each side edge of the bag, substantially parallel to and spaced inwardly from the first seam connecting the two web portions of each wall of the bag.

Such a carrier bag, after it has been used as a carrier bag, can also be used for other purposes in order, on the one hand, to reduce the incidence of refuse, but in particular so as to reduce the consumption of raw material for carrier bags. It will be clear that if a carrier bag can also be used for other purposes, a considerable economic advantage is achievable in view of the large number of carrier bags which are continuously being brought into circulation.

If a carrier bag is constructed according to the invention, one advantage which results is that its carrying capacity is substantially increased because the bag is double-walled. However, the essential advantage of such a carrier bag is that after removing the first seams on both sides, which form the actual carrier bag, the bag can be folded open so that it is above twice its original length. Such a carrier bag can then be used, for example, as a refuse sack or as a garment bag. It is particularly advantageous if in this case the edge strips carrying the first seam, on both sides, are not cut off completely but only to the point that one end is still connected to the remaining carrier bag or the resulting sack. In this way, the lateral strips can be used directly for tying the sack. After cutting off the edge strips, the filling opening of the sack is the opening which is produced between the two ends of the webs which form the second wall whilst the bottom is formed by the opening edge of the webs of the first wall bonded to one another. When used as a garment bag the "bottom is of course located at the top.

Of course, the carrier bag according to the invention can be produced from practically any material. However, it is particularly advantageous if it is manufactured from a plastic film preferably a tubular polyethylene film, in which case the seams are welded seams.

In order that the invention will be more readily understood, the following description of a preferred embodiment is given, merely by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the original carrier bag;

FIG. 2 is a section along line lI-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2a is a detail encircled in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, but in which one side strip has already been cut off completely and the other side strip has been cut off partially to permit the carrier bag to be used as a refuse sack or garment FIG. 4 shows a view of the carrier bag when used as a refuse sack;

FIG. 5 shows a corresponding view when used as a garment bag;

FIG. 6 is a section along line VI-VI in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a section along line VIIVII in FIG. 5.

The carrier bag shown in' the drawing consists of polyethylene film.

As can be seen in particular, from FIGS. 1 and 2, the carrier bag 1 has a first wall 2 and a second wall 3, which consists of first and second portions 4 and 5 and third and fourth web portions 6 and 7 respectively (FIG. 2). In the present case, the webs 4, 5, 6 and 7 are produced from a single piece which on the one hand is folded about the edge 8 of the top opening (FIG. 20) into the interior of the bag and, on the other hand, about the bottom edge 9, in each case into half.

FIGS. 1 and 3 show that to connect the webs 4, 5, 6 and 7, several seams are provided along each of the two side edges of the carrier bag. An outer welded seam 11, a first seam on each edge connects in the embodiment shown all four web portions 4, 5, 6 and 7. In addition, two second welded seams l2 and 12' are provided on each edge which run substantially parallel to the welded seams 11, but displaced inwards. The welded seams l2 solely connect the web portions 4 and S of the wall 2, whilst the corresponding welded seams 12' connect the web portions 6 and 7 of the second wall 3.

A relatively stiff carrier handle 13 is fixed to the wall 2 in the zone of the opening edge 8, in the present instance by means of the welded seam 14. The actual grip 15 of the carrier handle can though this is not shown in the drawing be pushed through a slit 16 in the second wall 3 so as to close the carrier bag I and at the same time to grip its second wall 3. In order to achieve a bag of particularly high carrying strength it can be desirable to reinforce the second wall 3, or at least one of the web portions 6, 7 of this wall, in the zone of the slit 16, for example by welding a special part 29 onto it.

The opening edge 8 formed by the first wall 2 is in any case closed because of the folding-over. In order to avoid any difficulties arising on filling the carrier bag through contents being pushed in between the inherently free ends of the web portions 6 and 7 of the second wall 3 it is desirable to bond these web portions 6 and 7 in the zone of the edge 17 in some easily detachable manner. In the embodiments shown, point welds 18 are provided for this purpose at certain intervals from one another.

Finally, FIGS. I and 3 also show that in the web portion 4 of the wall 2, near the carrier handle 13, a small hole 19 is provided, which serves, for example, to allow a hook of a coathanger to be pushed through it, as will be explained later.

If it is intended to employ the carrier bag 1, after use, as a refuse sack (FIG. 4) or garment bag (FIG. 5), the edge strips with the first seam 11 are cut off in the manner shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows that when the article is to be used as a refuse sack, it is desirable not to take the cut as far as the upper edge 17 but to terminate it at 21, at a certain distance from this edge. This is possible without difficulty if, in accordance with the embodiments shown, the second wall 3 which forms the opening edge 17 projects somewhat relative to the first wall 2 with the opening edge 8. The side strip 20' on the left in FIG. 3 has not yet been cut off completely. The strips 20, 20' can be cut off by. for example, scissors. It would, however, also be conceivable to provide a line of weakness, for example a line perforation 28 as shown on the right side in FIG. 1, to form an intended tear line, between the seams 11 and 12, 12. If it is not intended to tie the sack, for example when it is used as a garment bag, the side strips 20, 20' can, of course, also be cut off completely.

After cutting off the side strips 20 at least as far as position 21, the carrier bag is folded open about the bottom edge 9 so that a sack 22 or 23 is obtained, the height of which is approximately twice the height of the carrier bag 1. At the side, these sacks 22, 23 are closed by the seams 12 or 12' (FIGS. 4, 5). Before the sacks 22 or 23 can be filled, the point weld 18 must also be opened up.

When used as a refuse sack according to FIG. 4, the sack 22 formed by the webs 4 and 6 or 5 and 7 is filled through the opening 24 between the webs 6 and 7 in the zone of the opening edge 17, the carrier handle 13 being in the bottom of the sack 22. When the sack 22 is full, it is tied by means of the ribbon-shaped side strips 20, in the manner shown in FIG. 4.

When used as a garment bag 23 (FIGS. 5 and 7) the sack produced is used in such a way that the carrier handle 13 is at the upper end. In that case, garments 26 hanging on a coathanger are introduced into the sack 23 through the opening between the webs 6 and 7. The hook 27 of the coathanger 25 is pushed through the hold 19 in the wall 4, which makes it possible to hang the filled garment bag 23 from a hook or a rail.

The preceding description thus shows clearly that a carrier bag according to the invention, after fulfilling its actual purpose, can still be employed very usefully as a refuse sack or garment bag. Thus it does not increase the production of refuse but can, on the contrary, be used to remove refuse. Of course, the dimensions of the carrier bag 1 are so chosen that the refuse sack 22 conforms to any existing standard specifications.

We claim:

1. A carrier bag comprising, in combination:

a. first and second web portions forming a first double wall of the bag;

b. third and fourth web portions forming a second double wall of the bag, the first and third web portions and the second and fourth web portions, respectively, being connected by a fold at the bottom of the bag, with the second and fourth web portions forming the inner walls of the two double walls, the upper edges of the first and second walls defining an opening into the interior of the carrier bag;

c. a first seam along each side edge of the bag each seam connecting at least the second and fourth web portions to one another; and

(1. two second seams along each side edge of the bag, substantially parallel to and spaced inwardly from the first seam, connecting only the two web portions of each wall of the bag.

2. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 1, further com' prising means defining a line of weakness app oximately parallel to and between each first seam and each adjacent second seams.

3. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the four web portions of the two walls of the bag are formed ofone piece of web material which is folded, on the one hand, at the edge of the opening of the first wall and, on the other hand, at the bottom of the bag.

4. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third and fourth web portions forming the second wall of the bag project beyond the first and second portions forming the first wall and wherein the first seam and the second seams of the second wall extend approximately as far as the upper edge of the first wall.

5. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising a carrier handle fixed to the first wall.

6. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 5, wherein the third and fourth web portions forming the second wall of the bag project beyond the first and second web portions forming the first wall, wherein the first seams and second seams of the second wall extend approximately as far as the upper edge of the first wall and further comprising meeans defining a cut out in the second wall, the carrier handle projecting beyond the edge of the first wall and being capable of being pushed through said cut-out in the second wall.

7. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 6, and further comprising means reinforcing the second wall in the zone of the cut-out.

8. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 5, wherein the carrier handle is stiffer than the web portions which form the walls.

9. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising means defining a hole adjacent but spaced from the opening edge of the first wall.

10. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the free ends of the third and fourth web portions forming the second wall are secured to one another in an easily detachable manner. 

1. A carrier bag comprising, in combination: a. first and second web portions forming a first double wall of the bag; b. third and fourth web portions forming a second double wall of the bag, the first and third web portions and the second and fourth web portions, respectively, being connected by a fold at the bottom of the bag, with the second and fourth web portions forming the inner walls of the two double walls, the upper edges of the first and second walls defining an opening into the interior of the carrier bag; c. a fIrst seam along each side edge of the bag each seam connecting at least the second and fourth web portions to one another; and d. two second seams along each side edge of the bag, substantially parallel to and spaced inwardly from the first seam, connecting only the two web portions of each wall of the bag.
 2. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means defining a line of weakness approximately parallel to and between each first seam and each adjacent second seams.
 3. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the four web portions of the two walls of the bag are formed of one piece of web material which is folded, on the one hand, at the edge of the opening of the first wall and, on the other hand, at the bottom of the bag.
 4. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third and fourth web portions forming the second wall of the bag project beyond the first and second portions forming the first wall and wherein the first seam and the second seams of the second wall extend approximately as far as the upper edge of the first wall.
 5. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising a carrier handle fixed to the first wall.
 6. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 5, wherein the third and fourth web portions forming the second wall of the bag project beyond the first and second web portions forming the first wall, wherein the first seams and second seams of the second wall extend approximately as far as the upper edge of the first wall and further comprising meeans defining a cut-out in the second wall, the carrier handle projecting beyond the edge of the first wall and being capable of being pushed through said cut-out in the second wall.
 7. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 6, and further comprising means reinforcing the second wall in the zone of the cut-out.
 8. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 5, wherein the carrier handle is stiffer than the web portions which form the walls.
 9. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising means defining a hole adjacent but spaced from the opening edge of the first wall.
 10. A carrier bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the free ends of the third and fourth web portions forming the second wall are secured to one another in an easily detachable manner. 